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MT. JULIET -- Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26 at Mt. Juliet Worship & Ministry Center for Mrs. Robinson, 81 of Old Hickory.Born January 25, 1930 to the late Lillard Ernest Massey and Effie Mai Massey, she died March 22, 2011.Visitation will be at Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet Friday, March 25 from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, March 26 one hour prior to the service at the church.Services will be conducted by Rev. Danny Sellars. Interment will follow at Hermitage Memorial Gardens.Survivors include: daughters Barbara (Jerry) Tate and Becky Mofield; grandchildren Michelle Baskin, Rob Tate and Brittany Mofield; great-granddaughter Lea Tate; sisters Reba (Horace) Tomlinson, Anna Appling, Ardelia Barnett and Willie Mai "Bill" Vanderpool; brother, Robert (Juanita) Massey; as well as several nieces and nephews.In addition to he parents, she is preceded in death by husband, Claude Franklin Robinson; and brother Harold Dean Massey. Pallbearers: Elbert Tomlinson, Jerry Tate, Rob Tate, Bobby Appling, Barry Appling, Mike Lawson and Dr. Wesley Appling.The family would like to extend a special thank you to her caregiver, Tonia Michelle Williams and Alive Hospice.Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet.

LEBANON -- Lloyd Kinkaid Jr. passed away March 19, 2011 at age 84. The family will be receiving friends at Sellars Funeral Home in Lebanon from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 27. Mr. Kinkaid retired as Vice President of National Life and Accident Insurance Company after 34 years.He was a World War II veteran of the US Navy, a member of Cornerstone Baptist Church, and for the past 68 years, a member of Masonic Lodge where he served as Secretary of the Lodge for two years.Mr. Kinkaid served as a volunteer with the American Red Cross, serving on 13 national disaster teams, he organized and served as President of the Wilson County chapter of the AARP, growing it into the largest chapter in the United States.Survivors include children: daughter Kelly Kinkaid (Mark) Brewer of Shreveport LA and son Lloyd (Amie) Kinkaid III of Mason OH; grandchildren: Hayes Brewer, Bruce Brewer, Sara Kinkaid, Emma Kinkaid, and Matthew Kinkaid.He is preceded in death by wife of over 50 years -- Kathryn Feagins Kinkaid.In lieu of flowers, make memorial donations to the American Red Cross (PO Box 4002018, Des Moines IA 50340-2018).Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon.

LEBANON -- Funeral services for Mrs. Gwynn are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, March 26 at the Bethlehem United Methodist Church.Mrs. Gwynn, 89, of Lebanon passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at the University Medical Center.Born January 1, 1922, in Wilson County, she was the daughter of the late Hugh Lawrence and Edna Lee Draper Robinson.Mrs. Gwynn was a 1939 graduate of Mt. Juliet High School and was a member of the Bethlehem United Methodist Church. She retired from the Lebanon Woolen Mill as the Human Resources Manager with 35 years of service.Visitation Friday 2-8 p.m. at Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home and Saturday after 11 a.m. at the church.Services will be conducted by Rev. Ed Pugh. Interment will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Survivors include: son James Robert “Bob” (Jean) Gwynn III; granddaughter Kimberly (Chris) Bolt; great grandchildren Zachary, Abigail and Gwyneth Bolt -- all of Lebanon; brothers James (Elaine) Robinson of Charlotte, NC; Charles (Janice) Robinson of Summerville, SC; sister-in-law Helen Robinson of Knoxville; and brother-in-law, Randall Harley of Nashville.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband James Robert “Bob” Gwynn on August 13, 1974; sister Jayne Harley; and a brother Gerald Robinson.Pallbearers: Chris Bolt, Zachary Bolt, Jimmy Gibson, Randall Harley, David Collier and Jimmy Edwards.Memorials may be made to the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Building Fund.Arrangements by Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home.

LEBANON -- Funeral services for Mr. Howard are scheduled 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home.Mr. Howard, 75, of Lebanon passed away Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the Summit Medical Center in Hermitage.Born October 18, 1935, in Wilson County, he was the son of the late Ewing and Ethel Parker Howard.Mr. Howard served in the US Air Force for 20 years and worked for the Tennessee Department of Employment Security as a Veterans Representative for 20 years. He was a member of the Cedar Creek Baptist Church and the V.F.W. Visitation Friday 2-8 p.m. and Saturday after 12 Noon at Ligon & Bobo.Services will be conducted by Brother John Petree. Interment with military honors will follow at the Wilson County Memorial Gardens. Survivors include: his wife of 54 years Chris Houck Howard; children Debbie (Bill) Hamilton of Valparaiso, Indiana; Mindy (Rickey) Knight and Tammy Jo Watkins -- all of Lebanon; Jeff Howard of South Carthage.Also surviving: grandchildren Brian & Chris Hamilton, Josh & Chad Hoffman, Megan Gravens, Chrissa Howard, Hunter & Spencer Dixon; four great grandchildren; brothers Carl Howard andLarry Howard -- both of Lebanon; several nieces and nephews; along with dearest friend, Wayne (Cindi) Metcalf.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings Robert K. Howard, Earline Bucy and Gladys Winfree.Honorary pallbearers: Ken Wilmore, Ray Grisham, Larry Brown, Bennie Watkins and Mike Daniel. Grandsons will serve as active pallbearers.Arrangements by Lebanon's Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home.

HERMITAGE -- A celebration of life will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at Hermitage United Methodist Church (205 Belinda Dr.) for 11 year-old Savannah Hope Swandal, a fifth grader at Mt. Juliet Elementary School.She died Monday, March 21, 2011 after a courageous 5-year battle against cancer.Born Feb. 23, 2000 in Hermitage, she was the daughter of mother and stepfather, Robin and Bruce Landes; father and stepmother, John and Taunya Swandal.She loved spending time with her family and friends, listening to music, singing and dancing, going to the beach, anything having to do with fashion, playing games, enjoying the outdoors, peace signs and the colors purple and lime green.An honor roll student, she was a member of Hermitage United Methodist Church where she served as an acolyte. Visitation at the church Friday from 3-8 p.m., and two hours prior to the service on Saturday.Services will be conducted by Rev. Allen Black and Rev. Chris Seifert. Also surviving: siblings Luke Landes, Joey Fishbeck and Emma Swandal; grandparents Robert and Lennette Beasley of Germantown, TN, Gary and Peggy Landes of Greeneville, Bill and Paula Gates of Germantown; Ron and Saundra Baxter of Alexandria; great-grandmothers Doris Beasley of Germantown, Lucille Pick of Staunton, VA and Polly Dart of Memphis; aunts and uncles Lindsay Beasley of Plano, TX; Bart and Vicki Landes of London, OH; Shari and Bobby Collier of Olathe, KS; Deanna and Tom Chamberlain, Lake Gates, March and Brett Mims -- all of Memphis; Cameron Gates of Helena, AR; Tressa and Chad Flores of Watertown and many other cousins and family members.She is preceded in death by grandparents, Preston Dart of Memphis and Dorothy and Ed Hunt of Livingston, MT. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made in remembrance of Savannah to Cure Search at www.curesearch.com to assist in the much needed research to find a cure for childhood cancer.Arrangements by Hermitage Memorial Funeral Home, Old Hickory.

McMINNVILLE -- Funeral services for Mr. Burns will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 25 at High Funeral Home in McMinnville.Mr. Burns, 54, of McMinnville and formerly of Wilson County, died Tuesday, March 22, 2011.He was a US Navy veteran, having served in Vietnam.Mr. Burns was a tow motor operator for Bridgestone / Firestone in LaVergne and was a 1974 graduate of Lebanon High School.Visitation will be 9 a.m. until the service Friday at the funeral home.Interment will be in Gardens of Memory Cemetery. Survivors include: wife Judy Ann Burns of McMinnville; son Adam Cunningham of Florida; daughters Samantha Katlyn Burns of Mt. Juliet and Emily Burns of McMinnville; step-son Tony Chapman of McMinnville; step-daughters Stacy (Allen) West and Stephanie Chapman -- both of McMinnville; sisters Barbara Jo (Steven) Bass of Lafayette, Ala. and Debbie Jean (David) Dickerson of Rockville; sisters-in-law Frankie (Cecil) Ferrell of Morrison and Eddie (Corazon) Pinegar of McMinnville; nine grandchildren; mother-in-law Annie Belle Stubblefield of McMinnville; and several nieces and nephews.Mr. Burns was preceded in death by parents, Robert and Barbara June West Burns; fathers-in-law Frank Pinegar and J.P. Stubblefield; and uncle Edy West.High Funeral Home, McMinnville, was in charge of arrangements.

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor:The 23rd annual Tennessee Beef Agribition was held for the first time in Wilson County at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center on March 11-13. This year’s event attracted participants from 18 different states, 485 cattle were shown with a variety of breeds being offered for sale, nine chartered breeds were represented and 60 vendors were available for a large tradeshow. The total gross sales for this event totaled $410,350.

This would be a record high average over the 23-year history of Agribition. The James E. Ward Ag Center has very diverse events, but the agricultural events are the reason we are here.

Events like this help strengthen our local economy and we are proud to be a part of that.

This was a collective effort by many people to make this a big success. Special thanks to the Wilson County workhouse crew, the Wilson County Road Commission, Eddie and Joslyn Conrad with Conrad Construction, 5 Bravo Construction, Ricky Rodriguez with Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Wilson County Commission, Agricultural Center Management Committee, Allan Foutch with ADC, Stratton Bone, Mike Justice with Lebanon Public Safety, The Wilson Post and The Lebanon Democrat for their excellent coverage of this event.

Thanks to Quintin Smith and the board members of the TN Beef Agribition for giving us the opportunity to host this event.

We observed some things that could be improved on to make next year’s event being even better. We are looking forward to the 24th annual TN Beef Agribition in March 2012.

Our goal is to improve on our facility every year and make this a premier destination for events in the South.

General News

By PATRICK HALL, The Wilson PostWilson County’s Finance Committee will continue interviewing the remaining 14 candidates for the Finance Director position, with hopes of fulfilling that position just in time to set a budget for the next fiscal year.

District 21 County Commissioner Eugene Murray, chairman of the Finance Committee, said the committee had originally received 29 applicants, one of whom dropped out of contention, leaving 28 individuals to choose from.

The committee has three meetings scheduled next week for interviewing the remaining 14 candidates after the list was cut in half last month.

General Sports

By TOMMY BRYAN, sports editorDown 9-0 early to Williamson County power Ravenwood, Wilson Central’s baseball team battled back to a 9-all tie only to see the visitors break loose for nine more runs in an 18-9 loss Thursday morning in the Wilson County Invitational Tournament.

Ravenwood opened the top of the first with three extra base hits, two doubles and a triple, eventually scoring nine times.

The Wildcats (2-4) never blinked, however, answering with a single run in the bottom of the first, then three more in the second on a home homer by Dakota Byrd. Central pushed across five in the bottom of the third to knot the score at 9-9.

“We’ve got a ways to go defensively,” said WC head coach Anthony Ford. “I liked the way our guys stayed aggressive at the plate, but give Ravenwood credit -- they pounded the baseball.”

All told, Ravenwood racked up 18 hits against four Wilson Central pitchers.